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For the past five years, the number one destination missing from Contiki’s product offering – as identified by passenger surveys, social media and third party research – has been Africa. Despite covering Morocco and Egypt in Northern Africa, the call of wild East and South has been strong and today the global youth travel brand has announced a suite of new trips to the region. While the brand has continually grown trips across Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and North America, the announcement marks the first new region since launching Latin America in 2010 and represents the growing footprint of the millennial traveller seeking unfiltered adventure.

Four new trips will see travellers exploring South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya, plus 5 extension trips to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, relax on the beaches of Zanzibar or get up close to Gorillas in Uganda.

Accommodation is a strong point of differentiation. While other youth operators in the region have opted for traditional camping, Contiki has hand selected renowned properties that offer the creature comforts of home, including Sentrim Hotels and Lodges. Whether hotel, safari lodge or permanent luxury safari tents, travellers can expect proper beds, en-suites, patios and lounges and swimming pools to look forward to after a day of adventures.

Experiences make the trips. With Contiki, travellers have the opportunity to see the big 5 game (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant & Cape buffalo) in Kruger National Park, witness the great migration of the wildebeest in the Serengeti or Masai Mara, tick off one of the 7 natural wonders of the world at the thunderous Victoria Falls, visit a Baby Elephant Sanctuary, and feed Giraffes, all included in the cost of the trips. In their free time, those who aren’t relaxing poolside can choose to spot tree-climbing lions from a sunrise hot air balloon over the Serengeti, bungee jump over the Victoria falls, white water raft down the Zambezi river, go hippo spotting on the Chobe river or wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.

All entry fees are included. With wildlife and scenery front and centre of the experience, all entry fees for game reserves are included in the cost of the trip. Also included are the majority of meals, with hot breakfasts, buffet lunches, picnics and starlit African BBQs just some of what’s on the Munch menu.

Small group sizes (approx 20 passengers per trip) means swapping large coach travel instead for 7 seater pop-top safari vehicles across Eastern Africa and luxury mini buses in Southern Africa. Flights are included from Capetown to Johannesburg and Johannesburg to Victoria Falls allowing travellers to spend more time on the ground making the most of what the destination has to offer.

No hidden costs, small group sizes and vehicles, stylish accommodation and more included meals are delivered by a dedicated and expert Contiki team on the ground to provide an experience with No Regrets, tailored to 18-35 year old travellers.

NEW trips

Cape, Safari and Falls (11 days) – travelling from Cape Town to the incredible Kruger National Park where travellers have the opportunity to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant & Cape buffalo), before carrying on to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the thunderous Victoria Falls. The trip wraps up in Chobe, Botswana over a sunset wildlife cruise surrounded by pods of hippos. From $2,932

Taste of Tanzania (7 days) – travelling from Arusha to Tarangire, Serengeti and Karatu, this trip is a week of pure safari, taking in the infamous Serengeti as well as the Ngorongoro Crater, where travellers will witness the highest density of big game in the world. Travellers can opt for a sunrise ride in a hot air balloon over the endless plains of the Serengeti for a once in a lifetime experience. From $2,934

Kenyan Highlights (7 days) – travelling from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Lake Elementaita and Amboseli, travellers have the opportunity to experience one of nature’s most incredible and humbling events – the great migration of the . From seeing the backdrop of Out of Africa at Lake Naivasha, to visiting a giraffe centre and elephant rehabilitation sanctuary in Lake Elementaita, the trip is a week long adventure with some of the world’s most incredible wildlife and scenery. From $2,171

East Africa Safari (13 days) – combining the Taste of Tanzania and Kenyan Highlights itineraries, this trip covers the most ground, liking safari experiences in both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. From $5,165

Add-On Trips – while they can be booked independently, these trips have been selected to be added to one of the four main trips, extending the travellers experience in Africa whether they want something active, relaxing or up close with more wildlife. For those with time and wanderlust, trips can be linked together providing the ultimate African experience.

  • Gorilla Trek – a 4 day trip through Uganda’s Entebbe, Bwindi and Lake Mburo, where travellers will come face to face with incredible Gorilla’s living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve.
  • Kili Climb – offering two ways to climb, travellers can choose their trip depending on their skill level and how much time they have. Shorter and steeper, our Marangu trek will have you summit in 7 days, whereas the longer Rongai trek will spread the climb over 8 days
  • Zanzibar Escape – offering two accommodation options, beach huts or resort, our Zanzibar Escape packages provide an opportunity for sunshine and relaxation before or after an active trip.